MTV Unplugged

MTV Unplugged is a series showcasing popular musical artists playing acoustic instruments. MTV Unplugged is largely credited with starting an "acoustic revolution" among musicians, bringing acoustic instruments back into the musical mainstream.

The thought to be first "unplugged" performance on MTV was during the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, featuring Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora performing "Wanted Dead or Alive". It was actually XTC in May of 1989 performing on MTV. Following the popularity of the performance, MTV began the Unplugged series of concerts.

Nirvana's performance on Unplugged (see MTV Unplugged in New York) is also of special note; it was the last televised performance by Kurt Cobain. Nirvana's performance consisted mostly of little-known material from themselves, the Meat Puppets, and David Bowie. This is a contrast to other Unplugged concerts, where artists largely perform their own songs.

Artists featured on MTV Unplugged include:

• 10,000 Maniacs
• Bryan Adams
• Alice in Chains
• Arrested Development
• Tony Bennett
• Mary J. Blige
• Boyz II Men
• Mariah Carey
• Dashboard Confessional
• Duran Duran
• The Corrs
• Eric Clapton
• Joe Cocker
• Sheryl Crow
• Bob Dylan
• Utada Hikaru
• Lauryn Hill
• Hootie & the Blowfish
• The Indigo Girls
• Chris Isaak
• Jay-Z
• Jodeci
• KISS
• La Ley
• LL Cool J
• Paul McCartney
• John Mellencamp
• Midnight Oil
• Nirvana
• Alejandro Sanz
• Seal
• Shakira
• Paul Simon
• Bruce Springsteen
• Rod Stewart with Ron Wood
• Staind
• Sting
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• Neil Young
• Alanis Morissette